Gay Marriage A 'Dangerous Experiment' Says Catholic Church In Scotland

The Catholic Church in Scotland has branded gay marriage a "dangerous social experiment" and dismissed homosexual relationships as nothing more than "friendships" as the SNP agreed to push ahead with same-sex unions.

"[The] Church shouldn’t be locking out people who are gay, or are bisexual or are transgender from being full members of that Church, because many people with deeply held Christian views, are also gay," he said.

He told a reception for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people last night:"And just as the Conservative Party, as an institution, made a mistake in locking people out so I think the Churches can be in danger of doing the same thing."

Equality campaigners in Scotland said the SNP's decision was "a proud day for Scotland".

Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said Scottish Government had shown their determination to make Scotland "a more progressive country."

"With cross-party support for equality in the Scottish Parliament, we would expect that this change can be passed next year," he said.

"Same-sex marriage is about equality and freedom: the freedom for couples, and religious and humanist groups that want to, to celebrate same-sex marriages; but equally, upholding the freedom of other religious groups to say no to same-sex marriages."

"That's the right way for Scotland to deal with the different opinions on this.

While Colin Macfarlane, director of equality charity Stonewall Scotland, said: "Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Scots and their families will be delighted with today's announcement. So will the majority of Scots who want our nation to be a beacon of respect and fairness.

"In recent months Scotland has been subject to a vitriolic campaign by some people who want to impose their 19th-century values on a 21st-century nation."

The arguments over gay marriage in Scotland have become increasingly bitter in recent weeks, with claims that opinion polls have been biased in favour of the opposing sides in the debate.